THE MANX SOCIETY.

Established in the Year 1858 for Publication of National
Documents of the Isle of Man.

IN this work, treating of what has been printed relative to the
History and Antiquities of the Isle of Man, it would be in-complete
if special notice was not made of the formation
and progress of a Society which has been the means of bringing
not only the present account, but numerous other documents, before
the public, which would otherwise have never appeared.

Early in the year 1858 a few gentlemen met in Douglas to consider
the best mode of forming a Society for publishing or reprinting
everything tending to illustrate the History of the Isle of Man, an
undertaking which required the assistance of many hands. After
several meetings a Committee was formed, who drew up an address which
was freely circulated in the Island, as also in England and Scotland,
and its object met with such hearty support, that upwards of one
hundred and twenty members desired to be enrolled in the Society.
Amongst the number were the Earl of Derby, the Duke of Argyll,
several leading Members of Parliament, with most of the Members of
the Insular Government, and others. A general meeting was accordingly
called, when the Society was formally instituted, and a code of Rules
adopted, his Excellency the Honourable Charles
Hope, Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Man, being elected
President of the Society.

The following is the Address which was sent out, with a copy of
the Rules :

THE MANX SOCIETY

FOR PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL DOCUMENTS OF THE ISLE OF MAN.

The Chief "of the multitude of Isles,"satellites to Great Britain
and Ireland, has local peculiarities of the most interesting and
important nature. It has an unexhausted field to the Antiquary and
the Statesmanthe man of the past and of the futureof
conservatism and of progress. Inhabited by an aboriginal tribe of the
great Celtic family, with language, institutions, and laws peculiar
to itselfnever united to Scotland, Ireland, or Englandto
this day a separate realm independent of the Imperial Parliament, and
under its native and aboriginal Legislature, with a singular relation
between its Church and State, having, as Lord Coke says, "such laws
the like whereof are not to be found in any other place ; "so that
"if the ancient discipline of the Church were lost,"said
Chancellor King, "it might be found in all its purity in the Isle of
Man,"surely this Island has peculiar claims to have the light of
catholic publicity at length cast upon all its documents and pecu
liarities. It was not in jest merely that Burke, speaking to Dr.
Johnson and Boswell about a visit to this Isle, used the famous line
of Pope "The proper study of mankind is Man."

The central Isle of the British group, connectedwith Scotland
geographi cally and geologically, with Ireland ethnologically, with
England politically, and with the three kingdoms ecclesiastically,
merits more attention from the United Kingdom than it has ever
received. As during the past it has been, so for the future it
promises to be, a beginner of the great central movements of the
British Isles. Said to have been the central fane of Druidism in the
aboriginal Celtic period, it was certainly the stronghold of the
Norsemen long before they took the supremacy of Great Britain and
Ireland. They introduced here Trial by Jury, and modified the old
Celtic government by consti tuting the House of Keys to be a
representation of the Island, before the judicial and political
systems of jury and representation were known in Britain. The highest
order of English chivalry, that of the Garter, began with the King
and Queen of Man. The Papacy was subdued in this central Isle a full
century before Henry VIII. , and thus among the European nations, the
Manx, like Wycliffe, was the Morning Star of the Reformation, and for
428 years has been to the most catholic extent anti-papal. The latest
reforms of the British fiscal and legal systems under Peel and
Brougham are said to have been modelled after Manx examples. The
records of such central movements of the geographic and organic heart
of Great Britain and Ireland must prove in the highest degree
interesting to the antiquary, the historian, and the conservative
patriot, and may afford data to the patriotic reformer and liberal
for prospects and actings as to future progress. The oldest and
first-born dependency of England must be an object of interest to the
younger brood of giant nations growing up from the loins of the
Anglo-Saxon race. It is a singular spectacle in Europe to see a
nation with no debt, with no soldiers of its own, with a heavy claim
against the British Treasury, and with the taxing branch of its own
legislature dormant. Having single-handed cut itself free from the
Papacy in 1430, at the end of "the Great Western Schism,"and being
the only Reformed nation that has not been excommunicated by Rome, it
holds towards Papal and Protestant kingdoms a peculiar position in
Christeadom. Marching in the front rank of European progress, the
miniature kingdom of Man preserves with Asiatic immobility the
Tynwald government, older far than that throne of the Caesars on
which the Popes have placed their Chair of St. Peter. The
Protestantism of Mona, so much indebted to Wycliffe, and not impeded
by the growing obstacles that stop the progress of the Luther and
Calvin Reformation, seems to have special preparation for the next
era and development of Christianity. A nation whose soil is divided
as in France, and whose Sabbath is observed as in Scotland, with a
domestic Legislature, and a Bible in every family, is in a normal
position for progress, ready to move in the van of Christendom, a
pilot engine before the catholic train of mankind.

On these grounds it is deemed that a Society for the publication
of all the valuable documents illustrating the past, and promotive of
the future of the Manx people, will have claims of no ordinary
strength on the patronage of the Nobility, Commons, and Churches of
the British Empire and Colonies, and of all who look to the United
Kingdom as the leading and model nation of man-kind. This Society
will direct, for the first time, a combined and powerful influence
towards the elucidation of the national records and monuments of
Man.

The following extract from the Preface to the latest work of the
Rev. J G. CUMMING, the modern historian of the Isle of Man, may be
quoted in connection with the preceding statements : "It does
indeed seem strange that, with all the facilities which steam
navigation affords, the Isle of Man, presenting to us certainly some
of the most beautiful scenery in the British Isles, and whose
political status is of so singular a character, should continue to be
so little known. How very few are aware, as I have found by repeated
inquiries, of these facts following, very worthy of note That
its climate is more equable than that of any country in Europe, and
its mean annual temperature higher than that of any spot in the same
parallel of latitude ; that it has within itself more antiquities in
the shape of cromlechs, stone circles, crosses, ruined churches and
castles, than any area of the like extent in the British Isles ; that
it has been the possession in turn of the Scotch, Welsh, Danes,
Norwegians, and English ; that its kings dictated terms to the Kings
of Ireland ; that it played a part in the struggle between Bruce and
Baliol ; that the land, the people, and their privileges, have been
transferred from one party to another by purchase or by mortgage on
five separate occasions ; that though in the middle of the British
Isles, it is not in point of law a part of them ; that though a
possession of the British Crown it is not ruled by the British
Parliament ; that though its people have the rights of British
subjects, it is no part of England, is not governed by the laws of
England, and belongs not to England by colonisation or by conquest ;
that in all these various changes of hands through which the Island
has passed, it has maintained in its integrity its ancient and
singular Constitution, and presents the last solitary remains of the
ancient Scandinavian Thing, or Court of Justice, which, for the
protection of public liberty, was held in the open air, in the
presence of the entire assembled people ; that its Bishopric is the
most ancient of any in Great Britain or Ireland, and has preserved an
unbroken succession of Bishops from the first till now ; that it
contains no records of the Reformation (of the sixteenth century) ;
that the Bishop in the time of King Henry VIII. was also Bishop in
the time of Elizabeth, and died in possession ; that its ecclesias
tical liberty is not encumbered with an Act of Uniformity, or an Act
of Mort main ; that, for the better Government of the Church, and for
making such orders and constitutions as shall from time to time be
found wanting, it is enjoined by law that there shall be a
convocation of the whole clergy of the Diocese, on Thursday in
Whitsun Week, every year ; that Canons drawn up in these Synodal
meetings of the Church have received the sanction of the Legislature,
and are actually the statute law of the Isle ; that the Bishop can
himself draw up public prayers to be used in the churches of his
Diocese, and that such prayers have been incorporated into the
Liturgy of the Manx Church ; that the Offertory has never been
discontinued, but is in general practice, once at least, every week,
in every parish in the Island."

RULES.

1. That the affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a
Council, to meet on the first Tuesday of every month, and to consist
of not more than 24 Members, of whom six shall form a quorum ; and
that the President, and Vice-Presidents, the Hon. Secretaries and
Treasurers, shall be considered ex officio Members. The
Council may appoint two acting Committees, one for finance and the
other for publication.

2. That a subscription of One Pound annually, paid in advance, on
or before the day of annual meeting, shall constitute Membership ;
and that every Member not in arrear of his annual subscription be
entitled to a copy of every publication issued by the Society. That
no Member incur any pecuniary liability beyond his annual
subscription.

3. That the Accounts of Receipts and Expenditure be examined
annually by two Auditors appointed at the annual meeting on the 1st
of May in each year.

4. That six Copies of his Work be allowed to the Editor of the
same, in addition to the one he is entitled to as a Member,

5. That no Rule shall be made or altered except at a General
Meeting, after due notice of the proposed alteration has been given
as the Council shall direct. The Council shall have the power of
calling Extraordinary Meetings.

* The quorum was reduced to three in
1869.

In addition to this Address the following was extensively
circulated throughout the Island :The Council of this
Society particularly request your kind co-operation in furnishing
them with information on the various details of your parish or
district, and beg to call your attention to the following queries
:

Name of the parish, its length, breadth, acreage, and general
geological character ; Celtic remains, such as rocks or stones, which
are objects of popular tradition or superstition ; altar stones,
cairns, either simple heaps of stones or surrounded by circles of
stones, runic stones, or crosses

Have any axes, spears, arrow-heads, vases, coins, rings, or other
remains been found ? In whose possession are they ? Are there any
ruins or remains of ancient buildings, embracing roads, stations,
harrows, Treen chapels or yards, civil, military, or
ecclesiastical

Incumbents, etc. , of the livings from the earliest to the present
time, with the dates of their induction, etc. In whose gifts are the
various Church preferments?

What benefactions have been given to the parish, particularly
since 1827 ? Parochial registers : their earliest date ? Particular
information is earnestly requested, and as ample extracts from them
as can be given. No subject is of more importance to the antiquarian
and historian, and in no way can clergymen do greater service to the
history of the Island than by rendering accessible the valuable
documents in their custody.

The Church, when built, its general plan and dimensions ? Are
there any remarkable tombs or monumental inscriptions ? Exact copies
of these, with all armorial bearings, are particularly valuable.
Earliest date on stones, and remarkable ages?

Notice any peculiarity in the fonts, of what materials composed ;
if any screens or carved work, communion plate or Church relics ; if
any arms or inscription ? Extent of parish or clerks glebe ;
number of wardens in the parish, or any peculiar mode of
election?

What schools are there in the parish, and how endowed or
supported?

What chapels of other denominations are there in the parish, when
built, and how endowed, etc.?

Is there any library connected with the church or parish ; by whom
given, or how kept up ; the number and description of books?

Are there any words or phrases peculiar to the people of the
district

Have they any remarkable legends, ballads, or traditions?

Are any ancient customs or games kept up, or any peculiar customs
ob served at funerals, or respecting the dead, or marriages or
christenings?

Are there any mineral or remarkable springs of water or wells?

Natural History : any information on this subject will be very
useful. Appearance of rare birds, insects ; mollusca, shells, etc.,
thrown on the sea-shore ; plants, etc., that may be considered rare,
etc.

These and many other kindred subjects are all worthy of
investigation, and the Council recommend that none of these points be
lost sight of by those able and willing to communicate information ;
in fact, everything should be collected and arranged which can in any
way assist in illustrating the past and present condition of the
Island, including topography, family or general history, so that each
and all may find their appropriate place in some of the volumes
offered by this Society.

In what manner the Society has so far carried out their object
will be best seen by a reference to the following works which have
been published, and already noted in the text of the present volume
:

PUBLICATIONS OF THE MANX SOCIETY.

For the First Year1858-59

VOLUME I.

An Account of the Isle of Man, with a Voyage to I-Columb Kill By
William Sacheverell, Esq., late Governor of Man.

1703. With a dissertation about the Mona of Caesar and Tacitus,
and an account of the Ancient Druids, by Mr.

A Practical Grammar of the Antient Gaelic or Language of the Isle
of Man, usually called Manx. By the Rev. John

Kelly, LL.D. Edited, with an Introduction, Life of Dr. Kelly, and
Notes, by the Rev. William Gill, Vicar of Malew. 322 copies printed.
Pp. xlviii. 92.

For the Second Year1859-60.

VOLUME III.

Legislation by Three of the Thirteen Stanleys, Kings of Man,
including the letter of the Seventh Earl of Derby, as pub-lished in
Pecks "Desiderata Curiosa."Edited, with Introduction and Notes,
by the Rev. William Mackenzie. 402 copies printed. Pp. xix. 224.
Plate.

VOLUME IV.

Monumenta de Insula Manniae, or a Collection of National Documents
relating to the Isle of Man. Translated and edited, with Appendix, by
J. R. Oliver, Esq., M.D. Vol. i. 315 copies printed. Pp. xv. 244.
Plate.

VOLUME V.

Vestigia Insulae Manniae Antiquiora ; or a Dissertation on the
Armorial Bearings of the Isle of Man, the Regalities and Prerogatives
of its Ancient Kings, and the Original Usages, Customs, Privileges,
Laws, and Constitutional Government of the Manx People. By H. R.
Oswald, Esq., F.A.S., L.R.C.S.E. 310 copies printed. Pp. ix. 218. Ten
plates.

For the Third Year1860-61.

VOLUME VI.

A Tour through the Island of Mann in 1797 and 1798 comprising
sketches of its ancient and modern History,

Bibliotheca Monensis : a Bibliographical Account of Works relating
to the Isle of Man. By William Harrison, Esq., M.H.K. 308 Copies
printed. Pp. viii. 208.

For the Fourth Year1861-62.

VOLUME IX.

Monumenta de Insula Manniae ; or a Collection of National
Documents relating to the Isle of Man. Translated and Edited, with
Appendix and Indices, by J. R. Oliver, Esq., M.D. VoL iii. 300 Copies
printed. Pp. 272.

VOLUME X.

A Shore Treatise of the Isle of Man. By James Chaloner, Governor
of the Island from 1658 to 1660. Published originally in 1656 in
Kings "Vale Royal of England, or the County Palatine of
Chester."Edited, with an Introductory Notice and copious Notes, by
the Rev. J. G. Cumming, M.A., F.G.S. 300 Copies printed. Pp. vii.

138. Map. Four Plates. Five Pedigrees.

For the Fifth Year1862-63.

VOLUME XI.

A Description of the Isle of Man : with some useful and
entertaining reflections on the Laws, Customs, and Manners of the
Inhabitants. By George Waldron, Gent., late of Queens College,
Oxon. 1731. Edited, with an Intro-ductory Notice and Notes, by
William Harrison, Esq., M.H.K. 300 Copies printed. Pp. xxv. 155.
Plate.

VOLUME XII.

An Abstract of the Laws, Customs, and Ordinances of the Isle of
Man : compiled by John Parr, Esq., formerly one of the Deemsters of
the Island. Edited, with Notes, by James Gell, Esq., Attorney-General
of the Isle of Man.

Vol. i. 310 Copies printed. Pp. xvi. 241.

For the Sixth Year1863-64.

VOLUME XIII.

Fockleyr Manninagh as Baarlagh, Liorish Juan y Kelly Edited by the
Rev. William Gill, Vicar of Malew. Part i.

An English and Manx Dictionary, prepared from Dr. Kellys
Triglot Dictionary, with alterations and additions from the
Dictionaries of Archibald Cregeen and John Ivan Mosley. By the Rev.
Wm Gill and the Rev. J. T. Clarke. Part ii.

500 Copies printed. Pp. 432.

For the Seventh Year1864-65.

VOLUME XIV.

Memorials of "Gods Acre,"being Monumental Inscriptions in
the Isle of Man, taken in the Summer of 1797. By John Feltham and
Edward Wright. Edited, with an

Mona Miscellany. A Selection of Proverbs and Sayings, Ballads,
Customs, Superstitions, and Legends, peculiar to the Isle of Man.
Collected and Edited by William Harrison. 261 Copies printed. Pp. xv.
241. Music to three Songs.

VOLUME XVII.

Currency of the Isle of Man, from its earliest appearance to its
assimilation with the British Coinage in 1840 ; with the Laws and
other circumstances connected with its History. Edited by Charles
Clay, M.D., Manchester. With articles on Paper Currency, Treasure
Trove, etc., by J. Frissell Crellin, Esq., M.H.K. 250 Copies printed.
Pp. xi. 215. Illustrated extensively with Photographs, Lithographs,
and Woodcuts.

For the Ninth Year1866-67.

VOLUME XVIII.

The Old Historians of the Isle of Man-----Camden, Speed, Dugdale,
Cox, Wilson, Willis, and Grose. Edited by William Harrison. 209
Copies printed. Pp. xiv. 199. Three Maps and thirteen Plates.

For the Tenth Year1867-68.

VOLUME XIX.

Records of the Tynwald and St. Johns Chapels in the Isle of
Man. By William Harrison. With an Appendix, con-taming an Account of
the Duke of Atholl taking possession of the Isle of Man in 1736.
Also, A Lay of Ancient Mona. 263 Copies printed. Pp. xiv. 148.
Fourteen Plates.

For the Eleventh and Twelfth Years1868-69-70.

(No Works issued for these Years or Subscriptions collected.)

For the Thirteenth Year1870-7l.

VOLUME XX.

Manx Miscellanies. Vol. i. Containing

1. Selections from "Paradise Lost,"a Poem, by John Milton,
translated into the Manx Language by the Rev. Thomas Christian, Vicar
of Marown, in 1796.

2. The Emerald Vernicle of the Vatican. By C. W. King, M.A., with
Notes by "Aspen."With a Portrait of Our Saviour.

3. Ancient Portraitures of Our Lord. After the type of the Emerald
Yernicle given by Bajazet II. to Pope Innocent VIII. By Albert
Way.

4. The Seal of Thomas, Bishop of the Isle of Man. By

E. L. Barnwell, MA. With an Engraving of the Seal.

5. Poetical Description of the Isle of Man in Manx. By Joseph
Bridsou, 1760. Rendered into English by Mr. John Quirk of
Carn-ny-Greie, Patrick.

6. Diary of James, VIIth Earl of Derby, who was be-headed at
Bolton-in-the-Moors, October Thth, 1651, aged 45 years. With Notes by
Mr. Paul Bridsori, Hon. Sec. 250 Copies printed.

VOLUME XXI.

Mona Miscellany. A Selection of Proverbs, Sayings, Ballads,
Customs, Superstitions, and Legends, peculiar to the Isle of Man.
Second Series. Collected and Edited by Wil ham Harrison, Esq., Author
of "Bibliotheca Monensis."Pp. xvi. 285. Two Plates. With Music to one
Song. 208 Copies printed.

For the Fourteenth Year-.1871-72

VOLUME XXII.

Chronica Regum Manniae et Insularum. The Chronicle of Man and the
Sudreys, from the Manuscript Codex in the British Museum, with
Historical Notes. By P. A. Munch, Professor of History in the Royal
University of Christiania, Hon. F.R.A.S.S. Revised, Annotated, and
furnished with additional Documents, and English Translations of the
Chronica and of the Latin Documents, by the Right Rev. Dr. Goss. Vol
i. Pp. xxviii. 264. Two Plates. 155 Copies printed.